This past Sunday I finished our message series with the movie "Pay it Forward." I laid out a challenge at the end of the message to our church: the Summer of Service 20,000 Touch Challenge. From June 1 to August 12 we want to make 20,000 touches in our community with the love of Christ. I gave everyone a homework assignment that day. I asked everyone to look under their seats. Unbeknownst to them, there was a $5 bill under every metal chair. Nothing original with me, but still something that caught everyone off guard. I asked everyone to take that $5 and use it to bless someone in the name of Jesus. I'm looking forward to hearing the way people used that money. As for me, I'm going to add some money to it and bless one of my neighbors who just moved in with a pizza. Steve Sjogren states, "Small things done with great love will change the world." I believe it. I want to be a world changer!

Anyone from Ridgeview who may read my blog willing to share how they used it this week?

Major Announcement This Sunday!

Ridgeview Church is gaining a reputation. Many churches in our area have a rep, whether that reputation is true or not. One reputation Ridgeview is gaining is we are a church that likes to serve. We were contacted by the Greer Family Festival organizers recently because that's what they heard about us: "we heard you guys like to serve." I would like to qualify that. We like to serve others in the name of Jesus wanting everyone to know God loves them.

Well, this Sunday at Ridgeview I will finish up our message series "God on Film." We will be looking at the movie "Pay it Forward." It will be a message on serving others and fulfilling our purpose as a church to "be a bridge of God's love to all people so they may experience His purpose for their lives." As a way of seeking to fulfill our purpose, I'm going to share some plans for this summer that are bigger than anything we've ever done before. It's a big goal to make a major impact in our community and even make an impact in one of the most influential cities in America. Remember this: "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously (Galatians 6:9 NIV). Going to be a lot of sowing this summer from the fine people of Ridgeivew Church!

Some ramblings at 1:50 am as I am about to awake my son for his feeding. I've been told by some friends of mine that I have a striking resemblence to the guy who plays a football coach in the movie "Facing the Giants." I've even been told we have the same type of humor. Well, here's some interesting info. Did you know the movie was shot in Albany, Georgia. Guess where I was born before I moved to G'ville at the ripe age of 1? If you guessed Albany you would be correct. Did you know the movie also had a large participation of folks from Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany. Well, guess what church my dad was on staff on before we moved away from Albany. If you guessed Sherwood Baptist again you again would be correct. Hmmm?

I finished listening to an audio download tonight on "Developing Your Personal Growth Plan." Nelson Searcy hit me between the eyes by stating that some of us are limiting the potential of our church because we are not growing as leaders. I've always been growing as a leader but this resource encouraged me to step it up. One practical way: measure monthly. Each month I need to be mentored by someone who is farther down the road than I am in leading a church. It simply means I seek the counsel of wiser pastors who God is using in great ways. Secondly, I need to have scheduled during the month a time of evaluation/review. Run the tapes of the last 30 days and evaluate. Evaluated experience is the best teacher. Great advice and great resource. It can be purchased at www.churchleaderinsights.com.

The night before Landon arrives and our family makeup will change forever

Landon Jack Hargrove

God has blessed us with a healthy baby boy! He is healthy and fortunately looks more like his mother. There will be a short video of us at the hospital on our church's website: www.ridgeviewchurch.net. Yes, I know. Watching other people's pictures and family videos are about as exciting as, well, watching other people's pictures and family videos. But for grandma in Texas, etc, these are for you!

I checked out Perry Noble's blog tonight. I've been mentioning him a lot lately, haven't I? He will be a father in a couple of months and his blog tonight was exactly the reminder I needed. You see, in about 10 hours from now my wife will give birth to our second son, Landon Jack Hargrove.

Perry received some pertinent advice in an email concerning his soon to be status not as pastor of one of America's fastest growing churches but a more important status, "dad." It goes as follows: "As a pastor, and especially as a successful pastor, it will be easy to let the church steal time from your family. Don’t! What difference will a great history of church building matter, if your kids know you only has the “hero on the platform.” I know way too many PKs of “successful pastors” who struggle with their faith (if they even believe), struggle in relationships and just simply struggle. They see this apparently incredibly relational person on the platform - and don’t experience that at home. Make a vow now that you will not be that kind of successful pastor. Let your children be a testimony of the goodness of God in families.

That is great advice. I am reminded that God established the family before he established the church. My first priority is to my family. Our first son was born a month before Ridgeview Church was started. I had never been a senior pastor to that point. I've tried to keep a healthy balance over these last 3 yeas as husband, dad, and pastor. I so enjoy my time with my wife and son. Just last night Ethan and I were out in the backyard and I was teaching him to throw a football, then he would chase me, and we had a blast! I treasure every moment because these last 3 years have blown by so quickly. I don't want to miss a minute!

This weekend has been quite a ride! We had our annual Community Easter Egg Hunt at Lake Robinson Park. There were around 300 people who showed up. The amazing thing is I didn’t think we would have many show up due to the ungodly cold temperatures we’ve had this April weekend. Thanks to all those from Ridgeview who came at 10 am and helped set up and then take down after it was over. We have some great people who love Jesus at Ridgeview. Easter Sunday morning went well as we kicked off our message series called “God On Film.” We set up the school where we meet as a movie theatre environment. We had a popcorn maker in the lobby, movie posters, props, etc. Jesus used all kinds of visual aids to teach truth. I did that today as I used the movie “Cars” challenging people to evaluate what really drives their lives and to hand the keys of their lives over to Jesus. Thanks to all those at Ridgeview who invited people to our Easter Sunday service. I’m looking forward to unpacking the rest of this message series over the next couple of weeks. But, eleven more days and baby Landon officially arrives via C-section into the Hargrove family. I can’t wait!

Tomorrow is Good Friday. I have challenged our people at Ridgeview Church to fast and pray during their lunch hour for 3 people that they would like to see come to Christ and or get connected to His family through their local church like Ridgeview. I have challenged them to invite 3 people to church this Sunday. I will be inviting some of my neighbors. Easter is a wonderful time to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Actually, everyday is a good time to share Jesus, isn't it?

Thank God It's Monday!

OK, as I write this morning it's actually Tuesday, but just wanted to share my thoughts on Mondays. I love them, probably because it's my day off. Yesterday was a great day for a Monday. I got to go to the grocery store with my wife and help her shop because she's about to pop a baby out in 16 days. I got to work out in the yard yesterday. I played with Ethan. And then the season finale for Prison Break came on. I have to admit, I can't keep committing myself to this show. I already have high blood pressure. Usually, I continue into watching "24" but had to watch history as the Gators won another national championship in basketball. I recorded "24" and will catch up on it later. Oh, I also caught a little Oprah yesterday. My wife was watching you know. Pretty cool segment on the guy from Run DMC who is now as he says, "a man of God." He wears one of those clerical collars and everything. MTV has a reality show on him and his family. I think it's pretty cool to see that. He seems like the real deal and looks to be a great role model, especially as he puts lots of emphasis on his family.

Looking forward to this Easter weekend. Should be a great weekend with the Easter egg hunt and the new message series called "God on Film." I borrow the sermon title and some of the movie ideas from Nelson Searcy. I will be taking the move "Cars" this Sunday and challenging people to really examine waht is driving their lives. Looking forward to it!

I feel like Perry Noble!

If you live in the Upstate of SC and have never heard of Perry Noble, eventually you will. Perry is the Pastor of NewSpring Church in Anderson "Electric City" SC. Perry started NewSpring church in the year 2000. As of 2007 they are running over 8000 people. It is one of the fastest growing churches in America. They are reaching hundreds of people for Christ ever year. He is so passionate about reaching people for Christ he's had people write the names of those they want to see come to know Jesus on the walls of their worship center. Try doing that at your local church and see how well that goes over with the building and grounds committee!

Anyway, Perry has a blog I read weekly (PerryNoble.com). He shares that he has received all kinds of criticism and the rumors flying around town about him and NewSpring church border on insane. There are even anti-Perry Noble websites out there from what I've heard. Anyway, I am learning this about ministry. You will have your critics, and the sad thing about it is it usually comes from fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

I have been sheltered from criticism about our church over the last 3 years. Yes, I've heard a few things here and there, but nothing major. However, I got an email this week from a wonderful lady in our church who shared with me about criticism others have directed to her about our church. She said when she's asked about where she goes to church and tells them Ridgeview, the response is, usually from a couple of Pastors, "Well, that's great if all you want to do is show up on Sunday mornings and nothing else." They also say, "I hear they do things differently over there." Wow, I feel like Perry Noble now! Ha!

Here's the deal: Ridgeview Church has a purpose. That purpose is simply this: "To be a bridge of God's love to all people so they can experience His purpose for their lives." Our major thrust is evangelism with the goal of helping people experience God's purpose of coming to know Him personally, grow in their faith, serve Him, worship Him, and go back out into their community and be that same bridge of God's love to others. We meet for corporate worship on Sunday mornings. We have Bible study Home groups that meet during the week; mostly on Sunday nights. We have a first Saturday of service every month where we are out in the community sharing the love of Christ in real practical ways. This year already we've gone to the Palmetto Boys shelter, hosted a Superbowl Sunday, conducted a 3 on 3 basketball tournament and clinic, and in a few weeks will hold a community Easter Egg hunt in our community that has grown every year. This year will be even bigger! At all of these events we've rubbed shoulders with people who need to know Jesus Christ.

Some people just don't get us. It's not about coming together for meetings all the time in the church building. I want us out in the community. Those who accuse us of just having a Sunday morning worship time and that's all are sorely misguided. In fact, we ask more commitment from our people at Ridgeview than many other churches. How many other churches in our community have to set up everything in a school and then take it down after they are done on Sunday morning?

Finally, let me say this. 60% of our county is unchurched. 80 to 85% of churches are plateued or declining. They say the seven last words of a dying church is "we've never done it that way before." So, God help us. We need to do things differently. People are dying and going to a Christless eternity. Oh, by the way, as I'm typing this I just got a phone call from a lady we helped at our single mom's oil change a year ago. She's in trouble right now and our church is one of the first places she's called. Time to go; ministry calls. I like the way we're doing church around here. We're going to continue to meet needs, heal hurts, and share Jesus.

"Seeking to be a bridge of God's love to all people so they may experience His purpose for their lives." That's the purpose of the church I serve as Pastor. That really should be the purpose for every Christ follower. Oh yes, we can say it a thousand different ways, but it all boils down to seeking to obey the Great Commandment and the Great Commission; to love God and love people.
I love God and am grateful that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to save me from my wretched sinful condition at the age of 13. I love people and I want my community, my state, my nation, and ultimately, the world to know about the God who loves them and came to rescue them from their sin as well. This Easter season is a wonderful time for me to be reminded about the Cross and my responsibility to share what Christ has done for all people if they trust Him. Our church will be reaching out to our community this Easter through some creative ways to take the good news of Jesus to people. This is an important time of year and a great opportunity. I will not waste it!